Preceptor/Clinical Site Expectations

Preceptor Education

The following is a list of expectations that are required of all preceptors that are involved as a clinical site for Central Methodist University Athletic Training Education Program. All expectations must be met for students to be able to complete clinical hours at the clinical site.

  1. A current affiliation site agreement contract must be on file with the Program Director (Appendix A).
  2. Preceptors must complete a preceptors workshop every three years.
  3. The following must be kept on file with the CMU ATP Director and updated on a yearly basis (forms are located in Appendix A and can be uploaded by going to the CMUAT website:
    1. A current vita form A-1
    2. Preceptors current state license (copy)
    3. A copy of the preceptors BOC card verifying good standing
    4. Modality calibration check. All clinical sites must ensure compliance with written safety polices regarding therapeutic equipment. Calibrations maintained annually
    5. List of equipment available to students (rehab, modalities, emergency)
    6. Emergency action plan for clinical site. All sites must have written EAPs and train with the students before they begin patient care. EAPs must be easily accessible. Students signature required upon review and turned in to PD
  4. Blood-borne pathogen policy. Students signature required upon review and turned in to PD
    1. Blood-borne policy must be posted and accessible to students in emergencies
    2. A detailed post-exposure plan must also be provided to students
    3. Students must have access to proper blood-borne pathogen barriers and control actions
    4. Gloves, gowns, goggles, face masks
    5. Must have access to sanitation sites
  5. Preceptors must complete online student evaluations by assigned dates using Foliotek (see Foliotek instructions).
    1. A preceptor must function to:
      1. Supervise students during clinical education
      2. Provide instruction and assessment of the current knowledge, skills, and clinical abilities designated by CAATE.
      3. Provide instruction and assessment of opportunities for the student to develop clinical integration proficiencies, communication skills and clinical decision making during actual patient care.
      4. Facilitate the clinical integration of skills, knowledge, and evidence regarding the practice of athletic training.
      5. Demonstrate understanding of and compliance with the programs policies and procedures.
  6. Failure to meet these expectations may result in the removal of the athletic training student from the clinical site.

Clinical Education Supervision

As part of the CAATE approved athletic training program, CMU students are assigned to clinical rotations and are allowed certain supervised responsibilities based on their level of completed proficiency. The level system and completion is listed in the clinical education section of this manual. It is the policy of the CMU ATP, Department of Athletic Training/Sports Medicine and all affiliated sites to directly supervise all athletic training students.

While performing unsupervised tasks may appear to be a valuable component of learning, the safety and care of the student-athlete are of greatest priority. Thus, unsupervised occasions for athletic training students will not be the standard of care. The role of an athletic training student as a first responder is not condoned by the Athletic Training Education Program.

In the past, the CAATE has considered students "volunteering" for unsupervised travel as being outside the scope of the accrediting agency. Many institutions created "first responder" policies or "first aider" policies to allow students to travel unsupervised. However, these policies have resulted in some institutions utilizing students to take the place of qualified athletic training staff to provide medical coverage to traveling teams. It became impossible to truly and definitively disassociate the actions of a "student volunteer" from the function of the accredited athletic training education program. From this point forward students "volunteering" for unsupervised travel will place the program in a position of non-compliance with the Standards. Student travel using "first responder" policies or "first aider" policies is no longer acceptable.

Clinical Supervision

  • Athletic training students DO NOT replace professional athletic training staff or medical personnel
  • The preceptor must be physically present and have the ability to intervene on behalf of the athletic training student and the patient.
  • Athletic training students are not to be left alone while treating athletes
  • Athletic training students must have classroom instruction before performing skills on patients
  • Clinical experiences must be educational
  • Students are not to be used as work horses
  • Students are not to receive any monetary remuneration during this education experience
  • Must have one day off in a 7 day period
  • Must not average more than 20 hours a week
  • Must meet clinical assignments hour requirements
  • High school hour requirement = min/max 150-300
  • Sports medicine clinic hour requirement = min/max 70-100

ATS Clinical Education Evaluations

If you are a Preceptor at the Sports Medicine Clinic Settings, you will be asked to complete a formal evaluation of the ATS at the end of each semester assigned rotation. This is completed online through Foliotek.

If you are a Preceptor at the High School or Collegiate Setting, you will be asked to complete a formal evaluation halfway through the clinical rotation and again at the end of the rotation on each ATS. This is completed online through Foliotek. This will provide the ATS with formative and summative feedback in order to improve their skill set.

If you are a Preceptor at the Collegiate Setting, you will be ask to complete a paper evaluation on each supervised observing ATS at the end of every four weeks when rotations occur. There will not be an evaluation through Foliotek of the observing ATSs. The Clinical Coordinator will provide those evaluations along with accumulating the data. The ATP program will assess the outcomes annually prior to the formal application process in the Spring.

Feedback is provided to all ATS students regarding the evaluation process.

Clinical Site Visits

The Program Director and the Clinical Coordinator will conduct at least one site visit each rotation to observe the student in their clinical rotation and to facilitate effective communication with the preceptor.

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